Ocean on the Park Landmarking: The Details
We gave you the short version yesterday morning, but there’s more to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s vote yesterday to approve the Ocean on the Park Historic District in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. In addition to the obvious architectural merits, the row is notable for a couple of historic reasons: (1) the land it’s on was owned…
We gave you the short version yesterday morning, but there’s more to the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s vote yesterday to approve the Ocean on the Park Historic District in Prospect Lefferts Gardens. In addition to the obvious architectural merits, the row is notable for a couple of historic reasons: (1) the land it’s on was owned in the mid-17th century by Jan van der Bilt, the progenitor of the Vanderbilt family in America; (2) one of the buildings, 193 Ocean Avenue, was owned and occupied by Charles Ebbets, owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers and developer of Ebbets Field. Those of you who’ve been following along know that the designation of the twelve 19th-century row houses was a rocky process, with two of the owners fighting the effort and one City Council Member initially blocking but then acquiescing to the landmarking. The final chapter played out yesterday at the LPC hearing, when the owner of 189 Ocean Avenue made a last-minute plea to be left out of the district. Most interestingly, the Commission held a separate vote to calendar the adjacent lot at 185 Ocean Avenue as a possible addition to the district; this is notable because a developer already tore down the beautiful old house there and started to build a new development only to run out of money in the process. As Brooklynista wrote in the comments of yesterday’s post, “Indeed, what the LPC did today was major because it signaled to preservationists and developers alike that the swinging of the wrecker’s ball may not necessarily mean the struggle to preserve a historic site has been forever lost.”
BREAKING: Ocean on the Park Houses Landmarked [Brownstoner]
Ocean on the Park: Crisis Narrowly Averted [Brownstoner]
Councilman Threatens Ocean on the Park Historic District [Brownstoner]
Big Day Coming Up for Brooklyn at Landmarks [Brownstoner]
LPC Moves Ahead With Two New Historic Districts [Brownstoner]
LPC to Consider Ocean Avenue Historic District [Brownstoner]
Thanks Brooklyista! I have seen photos of the neighborhing stretch of Ocean, pre 1910, which show the free standing, Victorian wood-frame homes.
Here you go, Architerrorist:
http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/downloads/pdf/sig/OceanontheParkSig.pdf
I’m curious – why were the two end houses (one now razed) built in a different style than the rest of the terrace? Were they constructed later? I thought someone posted above that the land all the homes occupy was purchased by the original developer (at the same time?). Just an architectural history buff question.
Cheers, Bob – and congrats.
You have a good point Archterrorist. I’m not one of the Ocean Avenue homeowners, but I did help with this designation (and, for that matter with the 1979 PLGHD designation). For now, let us bask in the glory of a big win, as you rightly put it. Speaking just for myself, I’ll think about that tomorrow 🙂
I don’t mind good contemporary design… But the truth is, it would disrupt the uniformity of the new historic district. Whether or not it would detract from the architecturally integrity is a matter of personal taste (and owners of the other homes may be wary of what that will do to home values). Agreed, it’s a relatively minor point after a big win – no horrible, cheap multi-unit dwelling, but if I was one of the home owners (and I would have been all for landmarking), I would be pushing hard for the garden space.
So true, Bob. So true. Whole lot of “ifs” between here and “there.”
Whatever landmarks might eventually approve for 185 (if it’s actually landmarked) is likely to be better than the condo planned for that lot a couple of years ago. We’re getting a bit ahead of ourselves though since there doesn’t seem to actually be anyone with the wherewithal to build on that lot. It’s been for sale for some time with no takers.
The neighbors are not stuck on looking for something to match the “existing period aesthetic,” Architerrorist. (Speaking for myself, I know that some of us can actually appreciate tasteful contemporary design.) Just want something that fits within the context of our setback and 3-story structures. At this point, we’re pretty resigned to the fact that it will likely to be an apartment building — as opposed to another single family house. But, for sure, when it comes to meeting contextual expectations, an 8-story, 20+ unit, finger style apartment building (probably with Fedders boxes poppping out all over) and with a wing that is cantilevered over the driveway ain’t it! 🙂